Saudak Float Market

Need fruits and vegetables? Need shoes or hats? Need tourist gifts? All of the above can be found at the rural floating market about  1 1/2 hour's bus ride outside of Bangkok.

As we neared the area, we loaded onto small long-tailed boats and motored up the 'klong' or canal to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

As tourists we were treated to scenes of everyday life along the river way. Homes were built on stilts out of wood and reeds. Clothes hung outside to dry and act as shields to the intense sun. You could tell it is a simple life and something you and I would not care to live in on a daily basis. Along the way we passed traditional boats with men and women heading toward the market as well. It appeared to be a hard life.

The market seemed to have 2 functions; one for the tourists and one for the townspeople. As tourists we could by wood carvings, Thai silk, paintings, fabric, and embroidered items in stalls set-up on the docks. Those that lived there came for the food. They would buy fruits and vegetables and could actually buy and eat lunch from the boats.

As tourists we were warned over and over not to eat any fruit or vegetable that did not have a thick skin that could be peeled (by us) away and no meat/fish that was uncooked. Of course, no water or ice or drinking from a bottle or can without a straw. Clearly, I was not going to sample ANYTHING!! But it was amazing to watch these women cook right in their boats and then pass the food up to the customers on the dock. Can you say "Mosquito nesting ground?" As you can imagine, we were completely covered again and it was in the 90s with at least  75% humidity. Very oppressive.

Local food in Thailand is a blend of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and French. Very spicy...and that is why I don't like it.  The national dish is Khao Phat which is fried rice and egg, cucumber and chilies. They also like Tum Yum Goong which is a soup with prawns, chilies, and lemon grass. The water is so nasty looking, there is no way I was eating anything that would possibly come from it! They do have some unusual fruits such as Mangosteen, Pomelos, Jack Fruit, Rambutan, and Durian. Again, I passed. I did try the Dragon Fruit and it was OK.

Here, Dan is posing with a local artist who painted a water scene for us and signed it. We got a little series of 4 for something like $6 US or some outrageous number of Bhat. It was taken up on the dock. Easy to pack souvenir.

Dan never minds the heat, so he doesn't reflect how we were dripping in sweat.